Ice carving competition, demonstrations, and play area; Clydesdale horse and carriage rides; theatrical performances; and presents to the animals included in this year’s holiday fun

Bronx, NY – Nov. 17, 2011 – Winter is always a magical time in New York City and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo will be the highlight of the holiday season with family activities every weekend and throughout the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo special events and activities winter 2011:

Hess Clydesdale-Drawn Carriage Rides
Guests of WCS’s Bronx Zoo can enjoy a nostalgic horse-drawn carriage ride around the zoo’s historic Astor Court.

Cost:            
$3 members; $5 non-members

Dates:          
Weekends - Nov. 19 – 20, 25 – 27, Dec. 3 – 4, 10 – 11, 17 – 18,
Week between Christmas and New Year’s Day – Dec. 24, 26 – 31

Times:           
11:30 am- 3:30 pm

Ice Sculpting Demonstrations
Guests of WCS’s Bronx Zoo will have the unique opportunity to watch as artists turn blocks of ice into glistening statues of a variety of animals.

Cost:            
Free with admission

Dates:          
December 26-28, 30

Times:            
11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Salute to Wildlife Ice Carving Competition
Guests of WCS’s Bronx Zoo will watch as ice carvers test their skills in a competition of creativity as they sculpt various animals out of blocks of ice.

Cost:           
Free with admission

Date:           
December 29

Times:           
TBD

Ice Sculpture Play Area
Giant Ice Throne and Display - This giant chair makes for the perfect photo opportunity for guests as they sit on the giant polar bear-themed throne and play among the mountains and ice burgs surrounding them.

Cost:            
Free with admission

Dates:           
Dec. 27-30

Time:           
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Dancing Crane Pavilion

Note:           
This activity is weather-dependent and may close prior to December 30

Tropical-Themed Ice Play Area with Marine Animal-Themed Ice Slide
The ice slide kids will enjoy sliding down the 25-foot long slide carved out of solid ice through the sculptures of waves, palm trees, sea lions and dolphins.

Cost:            
Free with admission

Dates:           
Dec. 27 – 30

Times:
11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Island pieces and tunnels (for ages 4 to 6 years)
Younger kids will enjoy navigating the small tunnels, a miniature slide, and a small maze all carved from ice.

Cost:            
Free with admission

Dates:           
Dec. 27-30

Times:
11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Special Performances

Making Books Sing

Performance of If You Really Loved Polar Bears. Making Books Sing uses music, puppetry, and comedy to tell the story of a little boy who loves polar bears and the role we all can play in helping to protect them.

Cost:            
Free with admission

Dates:           
Saturday, Dec. 17

Times:
1:00 pm and 2:00 pm

Appearance by Sprout TV’s Super Why Character
Kids can meet Super WHY and his friend Alpha Pig from the hit television series on Sprout.

Cost:            
Free with admission

Dates:           
Tuesday Dec. 27

Times:            
1:30 pm

 

Contact:
Max Pulsinelli:  718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org
Steve Fairchild: 718-220-5189; sfairchild@wcs.org

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, 5:30 p.m. weekends from April to October; 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m November to March. Adult admission is $16, children (3-12 years old) $12, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $14. Parking is $13 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

Note to the Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a Web link where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, please direct them to www.wcs.org.